“Being part of this community means so much to me personally,” Kors continued. “I started in this industry at a time when places like Lothar’s—the store on 57th Street where I started my career—weren’t simply stores; they were places where fashion, creativity, and personalities all came together. I was thrilled to become a CFDA member back in 1985. For my first CFDA Awards, we honored Katharine Hepburn, and I almost peed my pants! I was fortunate to meet visionary people like Dawn Mello from Bergdorf Goodman who understood that nurturing talent and opening the doors for the next generation was essential to keeping American fashion moving forward and relevant. That spirit is still at the very heart of what we do. At our best, we support one another, we respect the incredible work of our peers, and we show up for each other.”
With a resounding cheer from the room, Kors passed the microphone off and dinner was served. Over a refreshing crudo and endive salad, Vera Wang laughed with Lance LePere. Linda Fargo, recipient of this year’s Founder’s Award, and Chavarria posed for a quick snap, while Joseph Altuzzara and former CFDA president Stan Herman struck up a conversation near the burl leather bar.
All things considered, it was a fitting, and fashionable, warm-up ahead of the industry’s big night out on November 2.
